Last weekend, T and I made our way out to Jersey City for a visit to the Liberty Science Center to check out the new “Secrets of the Sewer” Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles exhibit. I’ve been joking it was the first of many steps in training as a soon-to-be mom of a little boy.
I’ll admit that living in Manhattan, a trip to anywhere beyond the immediate PATH Station area is typically something I don’t do. I was surprised how easy it really is to get out there. We took an Uber from Grove Street, but we found out you can actually take the PATH to Pavonia/Newport or Exchange Place and transfer to the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail to go directly there. Good to know for future visits.
This is the first stop for the exhibit, which will be running at Liberty Science Center from May 28 through September 5th. Access to the exhibit is included with general admission tickets ($21.75 for adults, $18.75 for seniors 62+, and $17.75 for children ages 2-12).
Special thanks to Momtrends, who along with the Liberty Science Center organized quite the afternoon of activities connected to the new exhibit. The kids were able to try their hand at a number of Ninja training activities, which ranged from physical to mental. All kids (and adults, who wanted one) who completed the course received a certificate to confirm they are a “Certified Pizza Ninja” and received their own mask to match the color of their favorite Turtle.
The kids went crazy when the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles themselves came out and they had the chance to take a photo with them. Most of the kids were more than ready with all of their Ninja gear (that went for a number of the “big kids”, too!).
We then pause for a lunch of – what else – pizza!
After lunch wrapped, we all went to check out the exhibit itself. It was well laid out – varied in nature to hold their interest. I really like that again they cover off on both physical and mental in the exhibit itself. Some of the activities include:
- Building a bridge together, requiring the kids to work creatively as a team
- Patiently strategize to successfully navigate a rope maze
- Practice their balance on skateboards
- Hone in on their Ninja speed and slicing skills via a computer game
The kids were busy running from one activity to the next, having a great time. The combination of the activities layered with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles kept the kids enraptured for quite a long time.
To complete the experience, we ended the day with a demonstration on the science of pizza, which featured celebrity chef and Food Network star Donatella Arpaia and NJ Advance Media’s foodie and Munchmobile personality Pete Genovese. Donatella taught the kids about the reaction with the yeast that makes the dough possible. She explained a bit about elasticity and let them play with the dough to see it all in action. One of her chefs was also on hand to demonstrate the art of tossing a pizza. The kids loved it!
Overall it was such a wonderful day. We loved the interactive nature of both the exhibit and the museum in general. We will definitely be back for a return visit once Baby Boy Z is old enough to take advantage of all it has to offer!
Liberty Science Center – Liberty State Park, 222 Jersey City Blvd, Jersey City – 201.200.1000
Team building, cooking, and interactive activities? Count me in!